Imaging of proximal lacrimal system with time domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography in Asian Indian...

This article reports proximal lacrimal system parameters using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (ASOCT-Visante) in an apparently normal Asian Indian population with assessment of any correlation between tear meniscus height and punctal diameter. This was a prospectively designed observational study that included healthy adults, who volunteered for optical coherence tomography imaging (OCT) of their proximal lacrimal system. Time domain ASOCT (Visante) images of the punctum and proximal canaliculus were captured using the high resolution corneal scan protocol. External lacrimal punctal diameter (ELP), internal lacrimal punctal diameter (ILP), vertical canalicular length (VCL) and tear meniscus height (TMH) were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation test. Our study had 100 normal subjects with mean age 24.14 years, range 15-38 years. ASOCT (Visante) with advantage of deeper penetration was able to image canaliculus in all cases. The mean TMH, ELP, ILP and VCL was 252.7 ± 67.98 μm, 382.2 ± 103.14μm, 140.7 ± 67.29 μm and 811.8 ± 253.7 μm, respectively, in 100 normal subjects. No correlation was found between ELP, ILP and TMH (Pearson's Correlation; r = -0.355, p > 0.05 for all). ASOCT (Visante^TM) is a non-invasive and easy to use objective tool for imaging proximal lacrimal system. Further studies are required to validate normative data and correlate with microscopic findings of lacrimal system.